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China is accelerating the expansion of its nuclear arsenal

China has accelerated the expansion of its nuclear arsenal due to a change in its assessment of the US threat, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

Efforts to increase the arsenal preceded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for some time, but the US reluctance to get directly involved in the war has likely strengthened Beijing’s decision to place more emphasis on developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent, experts say. reasoning of the Chinese leadership, according to the WSJ.

China believes that a stronger nuclear arsenal would be a means of preventing the United States from becoming directly involved in a possible conflict over Taiwan.

Recent developments have accelerated work this year on more than 100 suspected facilities in western China, which could be used to house nuclear missiles capable of reaching the United States, say analysts studying satellite imagery in the area.

The United States has said that China’s view on this development is unclear. Independent security analysts studying the proliferation of nuclear weapons also say they are unaware of what is driving Beijing, as exchanges between Chinese officials and analysts have largely stalled in recent years.

People close to the Chinese leadership say China’s increased focus on nuclear weapons is also due to fears that Washington may seek to overthrow Beijing’s communist government after the most “hawkish” turn in US policy toward China. the Trump and Biden governments.

U.S. military officials and security analysts are concerned that the acceleration of China’s nuclear weapons program could mean that it would be willing to launch a surprise nuclear strike. People close to the Chinese leadership have said that Beijing has pledged not to use nuclear weapons first.

China plans to maintain an arsenal no larger than necessary to safeguard the country’s security interests, they said, adding that the Chinese military believes its nuclear weapons are too old to be an effective deterrent to a possible US nuclear strike. .

Source: Capital

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